Weekly readers responded again this year with stories that ran an impressive range of styles and emotions. More than 130 stories were submitted by adults in this year's contest, and about 50 more were turned in by younger readers.Although aging, death and other life-changing occurences have always comprised a large portion of the entries, this year's batch seemed especially concerned with grief. While we're not big conspiracy theorists here at the Weekly compound, we can't help but wonder if the turn of the millennium is affecting us all in small ways that we barely notice. Perhaps the imminent changing of the calendar is causing us to be a little more reflective about our transient place in the universe.

Special kudos go out to Elise Billingsley, our first place winner, as well as Marla Young and Will Gibson, our second and third place winners (respectively). And we extend our congratulations to everyone who took the time to write--we know how daunting a task it can be to sit down and face that blank paper or computer screen. As far as we're concerned, everyone who entered deserves to be called a winner.

Illustrations: Erik Chappins

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